C is for Complete

Now that the era of cheap fuel is virtually over, most car enthusiasts are forced to accept the reality that real luxury and performance will have to take a backseat to fuel economy except, perhaps, to those of unlimited financial resources. With gas prices hovering at nearly P60 per liter, the horsepower and torque outputs of new cars are beginning to seem insignificant to luxury car buyers and auto enthusiasts compared to the significance of these cars’ fuel mileage ratings.

It can be argued that power and luxury cannot be associated with an economy car and economy cannot be associated with a powerful and luxurious car. There are many economy cars that feature luxurious amenities and some engine tweaking to gain more power but their fuel mileage begins to suffer eventually. There are some luxury cars that were engineered to consume fuel economically but their engine power would be greatly emasculated most of the time. Mixing power, luxury and economy in a single car seems like the Holy Grail to automotive engineers.

Converted by a Compact

When Mercedes-Benz introduced the new C-Klasse (W204) late last year, the compact luxury sedan looked like it was destined to be the bread-and-butter vehicle of the German carmaker and of its Philippine distributor, CATS Motors. Completely redesigned and larger than the previous “baby” Benz (W203), the C-Klasse was ready to battle the BMW 3-series for the premium European compact luxury sedan title.

Truth be told, I used to look down at the C-Klasse as an “entry level” Mercedes-Benz model and considered the E-Klasse as a “proper” M-B, having been smitten by an E280 Elegance media test car. But one weekend test drive in a fire opal (red) 2008 C180 Kompressor changed all that. It was a car that mixed power, luxury and economy in just the right amounts and I became an immediate convert after the C180K stayed with me for that long weekend. I even asked to extend the test drive because I got really enamored with the car.

Competence with a Capital C

My practical personality wasn’t won over merely by my enthusiasm for the Mercedes-Benz C180 Kompressor or any new luxury car with a tri-star emblem but it was won over by the car’s completeness. The C180K simply offered the complete package that luxury car buyers would look for. It has the prestige, the renowned build quality and the vaunted vault-like body construction associated with Mercedes-Benz but it comes with a drive train that seemed designed for the times.

The C180 Kompressor features the performance of a supercharged engine that delivers 156 horsepower and 230Nm of torque but with the inherent economy of an inline four-cylinder, delivering about 12.5 kilometers per liter in combined city and highway driving. On the road, the supercharged 1.8-liter engine behaved according to the behavior of your right foot.  Pussy foot the throttle and it returns the favor with a fuel mileage that can rival economy cars. Press the pedal further down and it rewards you with smart acceleration that feels buttery smooth. Drop a lead foot and the car pounces forward like a cheetah, albeit with a stiffer fuel mileage penalty. With the equipped 5-speed automatic, it’s simply a rewarding to car to drive.

Class and Composure

Inside the C180 Kompressor, the interior feels large and generous. Cabin ergonomics are generally good except for the center console and gear lever which I found a bit too high for performance driving although it feels quite transparent when driving in the city. Generally, the C180K’s cabin ambience is still classy, airy, and most importantly, premium. The COMAND system includes a retractable screen while all interior switches and stalks operate with the crisp and firm Teutonic efficiency that spells Mercedes-Benz quality.

There’s also that trademark smooth ride and solid yet supple suspension. Body roll is built to a minimum and the power-assisted steering is lightly weighted, which adds to the agility and responsiveness that it desperately needs to steal some driving thunder from its Bavarian rival. Similarly, the C180K’s composure and stability at high speed is as solid as expected.

Compelling Character

The C-Klasse features a prestigious yet subtle elegance with a compelling character. The side chromed door and body stripes are positioned nearer to the sill level which gives the impression of a larger car. This gives a better road presence along with the trade mark tri-star emblem. Personally, I prefer the Elegance model with its traditional Mercedes-Benz grill than the Avantgarde’s big star grill, which I feel should be reserved for the sportier Mercedes models like the SL and SLK. Generally, the C-Klasse has an overall design that is taut, fluid but definitely compelling. It cannot be mistaken for anything else but a Mercedes-Benz.

The Mercedes-Benz C180 Kompressor may be direction that the new generation of luxury cars should be heading towards during these trying times. It has the power and the luxury demanded by its clientele yet it has the economical consumption that the spiraling fuel prices dictate. It’s an entirely competent European luxury compact car yet it comes with a price tag that is quite reasonable when compared to the prices of Japanese premium luxury sedans.

Of all these characteristics, the Mercedes-Benz C180 Kompressor can only be described in one word – complete. Luxury car buyers and auto enthusiasts need not compromise power, luxury and economy even during these trying times.